Australia's grassroots football heroes have been celebrated, with the 2026 Toyota AFL National Volunteer Awards recognising the dedicated people and clubs who bring community footy to life across the country.
Tasmanian community football stalwart Nicolas d'Emden has received the program's top individual honour, named the 2026 Toyota AFL Community Volunteer of the Year.
Joining d'Emden among this year's major winners is Madison Hohn from Katherine South Football Club in the Northern Territory, who has been named Toyota AFL Young Leader of the Year, while Western Australia's Yanchep Districts Junior Football Club has been named the Toyota Community Club of the Year.
For almost 15 years, d'Emden has made an extraordinary contribution across junior and senior football in Tasmania.
The current President of East Launceston Junior Football Club, d'Emden has coached multiple teams across the club including the inaugural women's team, held numerous committee roles and continues to umpire on weekends. He has also championed and driven the uptake of initiatives that make football more welcoming and inclusive, including the rollout of the ‘Learning Life Through Sport' program across Northern Tasmania.
With a total prize pool valued at more than $165,000, thanks to the AFL's Premier Partner Toyota, d'Emden will take home the keys to a new Toyota Corolla Hatch SX Hybrid, valued at nearly $40,000.
At just 21, Hohn helped rebuild a thriving home for women's football in the Big Rivers region at the Katherine South Football Club. As the Toyota AFL Young Leader of the Year, she will receive a new Toyota Yaris Cross GX 2WD Hybrid.
Yanchep Districts Junior Football Club was named the Toyota AFL Community Club of the Year for its strong participation and retention rates, while securing the future of football in the region through welcoming and inclusive programs that help more people connect with the game.
AFL Executive General Manager Game Development, Rob Auld congratulated this year's winners.
"With a vision for everyone to love and connect with Australia's game, and a goal of reaching one million registered participants by 2033, volunteers remain at the heart of community football," Auld said.
"I'd like to congratulate Nicolas, Madison and all our national winners. Through their dedication, energy and commitment, they create environments where people can play, connect and belong, and their impact is felt well beyond the football field.
"On behalf of the AFL, I'd also like to sincerely thank Toyota for its genuine commitment to community football and for helping shine a light on the volunteers, clubs and communities that make our game possible.”
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said:
"Toyota recognises the important role volunteers play in helping local football clubs thrive, which is why we're proud to support the Toyota AFL National Volunteer Awards,” Naidoo said.
"These awards celebrate the individuals who give so much to their clubs and communities, helping grassroots football flourish across Australia."
"Congratulations to Nicolas d'Emden from East Launceston Junior Football Club, and all of this year's Toyota AFL National Volunteer Award winners on this outstanding achievement and the lasting impact you continue to have on your clubs and communities, extending far beyond the football field."
The 14 national winners will all receive a money-can't-buy 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final experience where they'll be able to soak up the incredible atmosphere of the last Saturday in September and participate in the Toyota Grand Final Parade.
2026 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards – Winners
Toyota AFL Community Volunteer of the Year
Nicolas d'Emden – President, East Launceston Junior Football Club and NTFA Board member, Tasmania
Toyota AFL Young Leader of the Year
Madison Hohn – President, Katherine South Football Club, Northern Territory
Toyota AFL Community Club of the Year
Yanchep Districts Junior Football Club, Western Australia
NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer of the Year
Felicity Smith – Auskick Coordinator, North Launceston Football Club, Tasmania
NAB AFL Superkick Volunteer of the Year
Clare Skafte – Superkick Coordinator, Ashy Redbacks Superkick Centres, Victoria
AFL Diversity National Ambassador of the Year
Tracey Bell – Junior football team manager and inclusion lead, Nhill & District Sporting Club, Victoria
AFL Disability Inclusion Ambassador of the Year
Dave Wright – Integrated Coach, Kingsway Football Club, Western Australia
AFL National Community Umpiring Service Award
Ian Curran – Umpire Selection Secretary, Combined Southern Football League Umpires Panel, South Australia
AFL Community Coaches of the Year
Cameron Bennett – Under 16 Coach and Football Coordinator, East Point Dragons Girls and Womens Football Club, Victoria
Alice Bonnett – Under 17 Girls Head Coach, Kedron AFC, Queensland
AFL Schools – Teacher of the Year
Alysha Mickan – Teacher and School AFL Coordinator, Darwin High School 7–9 Campus, Northern Territory
AFL Schools – School of the Year
Werribee Primary School, Victoria
AFL National Community Football Media Award
Jeff Pistola – Founder and Presenter, Call of the Wild, South Australia
AFL National Community Football Photography Award
Gordon Anderson – Club Photographer, Glenelg Football Club, South Australia
